US attorney general defends Dotcom prosecution

May 8, 2013

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom smiles during the launch of his new website at a press conference at his mansion in Auckland on January 20, 2013. US Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday denied allegations from Kim Dotcom that the prosecution against the Internet tycoon was launched to appease Hollywood moguls concerned about online piracy.

US Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday denied allegations from Kim Dotcom that the prosecution against the Internet tycoon was launched to appease Hollywood moguls concerned about online piracy.

New Zealand-based Dotcom launched a "white paper" to coincide with a visit by Holder to Auckland this week claiming the case against his now-defunct Megaupload empire was baseless and did not stand up to legal scrutiny.

In the document, Dotcom's lawyers argued Washington had bowed to pressure from the film industry to pursue Dotcom for alleged copyright infringement because it was a major contributor to Democratic Party coffers.

"That's not true," he told Radio New Zealand when asked if the administration was pressing the prosecution to keep Hollywood on side.

"I don't want to comment on the case other than to say it was brought on the basis of the facts, on the basis of the law and it's consistent with the enforcement priorities that this administration has had."

Dotcom, a German national with New Zealand residency, was arrested in an armed raid on his Auckland mansion in January last year and his Megaupload empire was shut down.

US authorities allege Megaupload and related file-sharing sites netted more than US$175 million and cost copyright owners more than US$500 million by offering pirated copies of movies, TV shows and other content.

The US Justice Department and FBI want him to face charges of racketeering fraud, money laundering and copyright theft in a US court, which could see him jailed for up to 20 years if convicted.

Holder said the United States would continue with an application to extradite Dotcom from New Zealand, which is due to be heard in August.

"We have an existing treaty between the United States and New Zealand that's been used many times over the years," he said.

"I don't see why any individual would not be subject to that treaty."

US Attorney General Eric Holder speaks at an event on May 1, 2013, at the Justice Department in Washington, DC. Holder on Thursday denied allegations from Kim Dotcom that the prosecution against the Internet tycoon was launched to appease Hollywood moguls concerned about online piracy.

The case in New Zealand has suffered a number of setbacks, including a court ruling that the police raid was illegal and revelations Dotcom was unlawfully spied upon, but Holder said he was satisfied with cooperation from local authorities.

"I think that we've got good cooperation from our allies here in New Zealand. There are things that they're working their way through the New Zealand court system," he said.

"But we've had good communication and at the end of the day it will be an appropriate result."

Dotcom, who denies any wrongdoing, is free on bail ahead of the extradition hearing and has started a new file-sharing venture called Mega.

The boss of file-sharing site Megaupload has the right to see US evidence against him so he can defend a bid to extradite him from New Zealand on online piracy charges, an Auckland court ruled Thursday.

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